Connector



R. A. BECKER.

CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-27.1916.

1,331,179. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET avwowbo v Becker;

R. A. BECKER.

CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2-7. I916.

1,331,179. 7 Patented Feb. 17,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wi/i'maooeo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT A. BECKER, OF POUGI-IKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES TREMAIN,

OF POUGI-IKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

CONNECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

Application filed November 27, 1916. Serial No. 133,630.

which can be operated to firmly grip a plurality of connectors, rods, cables, or other members, wlth the simple use of a hammer, lnstead of necessltatmg the simultaneous use of two suitable wrenches.

Still another object is to provide a simple block upon which the connector in any of its forms can be either assembled or disassembled.

A further object is to provide a method by which the respective parts of a connector of various shapes can be formed from metal blanks, or stampings, after which the sections are welded, soldered, folded, or, otherwise rigidly secured'together.

And a still further ob'ect is to provide a connector casin comprising a plurality of sections secured together in such manner that a relatively short turn of one with re spect to the other draws the respective parts together, and thus indirectly decreases the extent to which the internally situated gripping members have to be operated to perform their function in securing electrical conductors.

Another object is to provide a two-piece gripping member that presents increased resiliency and ductility over those heretofore employed which are made of one piece onl E urther details of the construction and operation of the devices above mentioned are fully brought out in the following description in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of the preferred form of the device; Fig. 2 is an end View of the same; Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the same;

Fig.4 is a section 'on the line l1 ofFig. 3 Fig. 5 is a vertical, longitudinal section of ar modified form of the device; Fig. 6 shows- In this manner the gripping members are connector is laid when securing connectors therein; Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through a line tap connector constructed after the method described herein; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the plug shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a diametrical section through a modified form of gripping member; Fig. 12 is an end view of the same; Fig. 13 is an elevation showing a modified form of easing; Fig. 1 1 is a section of the same on the line 14.14L of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a development of another modification of the casing locking means; Fig. 16 is a section on the line 1616 of Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, two similar, oppositely positioned, hollow, conical, metal thimbles 1 and 2 are shown as losing provided with radially outwardly extending adjacent flanges 3, which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured together, while the opposite ends are open at 4. The adjacent portions of the respective thimbles are recessed to form two, alined openings 5 and 6, for purposes hereinafter described.

Before the separate thimbles are permanently secured together, there is inserted in each a gripping member 7, tapered toward one end and slotted at intervals to form spaced resilient fingers 8. These fingers are normally separated to their greatest extent and readily receive the ends of conductors, cables, or the like 11, which are first inserted inwardly through the smaller ends 4 of the thimbles and thence between the said fingers.

Thus far the members 7 lie near to or touching each other at the center of the device, and it is possible to readily insert and withdraw therefrom the conductors 11. In this condition the connector is then laid in the recess 12 in the block 13, with the aperture 6 of the connector in alinement with the aperture 14c in said block, and the conductors resting in the small depressions 15. A suitably shaped wedge 17 is then inserted through the aperture 5 and with its ointed end entering between the members after which said wedge is driven downwardly by a hammer, or any suitable means.

two methods of securing the respective partsLjQ'forced apart and into the rapidly tapering of the connector casing together; Fig. 7 is an portions of the connector casing, thus forctop plan view of the block upon which the "ing the fingers 8 together in such manner 110 as to firmly grip the respective conductors, from which oint any pull upon the latter outwardly will tend to createa greater bond between them and the members, as the latter are drawn farther into the restricted portions of the connector. In the eventof one desiring to disassemble the respective parts, it is only necessary to invert the connector in the recess of the block 13 and, with a suitable instrument inserted in the aperture 6, drive the wedge outwardly through the aperture 5. Then, by sudden jars upon the respective thimbles or gripping memberslongitudinally, the latter recede from their contracted positions, and as the fingers expand it is readily possible to withdraw the conductors undamaged therefrom.

Instead of welding the adjacent flanged edge portions of the thimbles 1 and 2, they may be folded together to form a seam 18 such as that shown at the top of Fig. 6. Or the edges of the respective parts may be recessed in such manner as to form'spaced tongues 20, one of one set being passed between an adjacent pair of the other set, and so on, after which they are-all bent close to the sides of the adjacent thimbles and soldered in position.

In'Fig. 5 is shown a construction of connector casing which is tapered throughout its length and at its opposite end portions is turned inwardly at 21 and provided with apertures 22 through which the conductors pass. In this case the free. ends of the resilient fingers are entirely inclosed, while in the form first described their final condition in gripping the conductors is readily examinable by the inspectors, orotherintere'sted parties. Otherwise, this type of connector is exactly similar to that before described.

In Fig. 9 is shown a line'tap connector comprising essentially a hollow, tapered body portion 25, pressed from a piece of sheet metal and internally threaded in the larger end 26. {Il'ie hollow, externally threaded plug 27, shown also in Fig. 10, is

screwed into said body portion and contains the reinforcing dlsk 28, wlnchalso pro'vldes a continuous bearing surface'for the conductor 29 or strain sharing sleeve 30. Surrounding the conductor 31 is a gripping member 32, provided with: spaced, resilient fingers '33, cooperating with the inner, tapered walls 34 of the'body member 25, said first-named member being forced'into position by engagement with a bushing 35, which also respectivelysurrounds and engages the conductors 31 and 29, as the plug is screwed into place.

Instead of the one-piece gripping members'shown and described above, itfhas been found llllttlidlSlllHCl? advantages are derived from fornnng sald members as shown in Figs. 11 land 12. Ijnthi-s form the resulting shape of the respective parts when assembled is-the same, but instead of comprising one piece, they are formed from two closely 'fitting tubes 37 and 38, cut squarely at one end 39 and together continuously tapered at 40 and 41, to provide the usual tapering fingers 42, terminating in a blunt broken edge 43.

In Figs. 13 and 14 is shown a construction of connector shell, which has distinct advantages of its own. One of the thimbles 45 fits slidingly over the other one46 and, while extending from the surface of the latter is a fixed pin 47, the formeris provided with any suitable shape of slot 48, spiral, angular, or such as that in a bayonet lock. In this case, afterassembling the respective parts of the connector, a turn of one thimble with respect to the other brings their opposite ends closer together, thus leaving less distancethrough which the wedge 49,, entering through the registering apertures 50-and 51, must'force the internal gripping members, which are similar in every respect to those hereinbefore described.

In Figs. 15 and 16 is shown another method for obtaining this same result, in the former the outer surfaces of the two thimbles being developed or projected into a plane for purposes of illustration. The edge of the thimble is turned outwardly at 56 and reversely at 57, said last-named portion having a cam shape of greatest extent at 58 and terminating in lugs .59. The edge portion of the thimble 60 is turned outwardly at 61 and then forwardly at 62, said last-named portion continuing in spaced, inwardly terminating ears 63. As said ears-are snapped over the flange 56 at the points of least extent 64, and onethimble revolved with respect to the other, said thimbles are drawn together, the lugs 59 finally preventing further movement by engaging the ears 63.

However, these constructions, illustrated by Figs. 13 and 14 and F igs..15 and16, respectively, are but two of many which will attain the same result and it is this which it is desired to protect. The forms shown in Figs. 1 to 6 are highly efiicient, but it is in some cases desirable to lessen, or make readily adjustable, the distance between the internal gripping members, to accord with slightly varying sizes of wire, cable, wedge, gripping members, etc., and the principle herein disclosed fully accomplishes this result.

Having thus described my'invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters 0nd bores, and a rectilinearly operated wedge In testimony whereof I have afiixed my extending radially into said casing and besignature in presence of two Witnesses. tween said grippin members and operative upon being driven i nwardly tb separate said I ROBERT BECKER 5 first members and by the cooperation of said Wltnessses:

first members with the Walls of said first LAURENCE E. SHERWOOD, bores to grip said second members. ANNA C. W. DAYLEY. 

